Yet another show for hard-working comic

Romesh Ranganathan has landed yet another new job - hosting a revived Weakest Link for BBC One.

The comedian will be following in the footsteps of new Countdown host Anne Robinson for a celebrity series of the quiz show, which originally aired from 2000 to 2012.

He said: 'It’s an honour to be asked to bring what is basically a TV institution back to our screens. 

‘Anne was an amazing host and to step into her shoes is an anxiety inducing privilege. I’m hoping we’ve found a way to make both the fans of the show happy as well as bringing a new audience to it. If not, accept this as my apology.’

News that he is to front 12  45-minute episodes come after a week in which it was revealed he was making a new celebrity true-crime series for BBC Two, a hip-hop programme for Radio 2 and taking over as full-time host of Sky One’s A League Of Their Own.

Weakest Link went on to be sold to 100 countries across the globe, while it returned to British screens in 2017, with a charity episode in aid of Children In Need.

Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of entertainment, said: ‘Weakest Link has always been a firm favourite with audiences and Anne Robinson was a terrific and formidable host. 

‘I can’t wait to see Romesh bring his own unique style of presenting to one of TV’s most memorable roles."

And Suzy Lamb from programme-makers BBC Studios added: ‘With Romesh taking the reins it’s going to be incredibly funny and as fiery as ever’

The new series will be filmed in Glasgow, with broadcast details and celebrity contestants to be announced later.

Published: 28 Jun 2021